worst ever Olympics "Rio"

Rio Olympics are worst ever, say Chinese 

Chinese media commentators and social media users have been making scathing comments about the poor conditions they say Chinese athletes are having to endure in Rio de Janeiro.

There are concerns about the safety of China's teams, while athletes have been complaining on social media about the state of their accommodation, which they say is hindering their training.

Many social media users are already calling the games in Brazil "the worst Olympics ever".

They say the event wins a gold medal in bad, making London 2012, which was criticised by some, look good by comparison.

There are 416 Chinese Olympians in Rio.

Security worries

State media have been voicing concerns about safety since April, when trial events were held.

At the time, Xinhua News Agency identified a "security issue" after Chinese women fencers were robbed and shooting team members found "unauthorised payments" on their credit cards.

This week, the foreign ministry warned Chinese visitors to avoid "dangerous" areas of Rio and vowed to increase protection for Chinese athletes after a hurdler fell victim to a scam.

Shi Dongpeng said on Sina Weibo that his luggage - including his laptop - had been stolen in an elaborate hoax involving a distraction in which he was apparently vomited on.

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Germany warns against 'blackmailing EU'

Germany warns Turkey against 'blackmailing EU'

Europe must not let itself be blackmailed by Turkey in talks about visa-free travel for Turkish citizens in the EU, German Vice-Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel has said.

Visa-free access to the EU is seen as a reward for Turkey's role in halting an influx of migrants into Europe.

But the move has been delayed because of a row over anti-terror legislation following Turkey's failed coup.

"It's up to Turkey whether there can be visa-travel or not," Mr Gabriel said.

Turkey was drastically distancing itself from Europe by "moving towards reintroducing the death penalty" which was a "flagrant contravention of the EU's charter of fundamental rights".

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said over the weekend that he might rescind his country's agreement with the EU to curb the flow of migrants if the bloc did not in return deliver visa-free travel for Turks.

Germany has urged Turkey to show "proportionality" over the issue - especially in its pursuit of those behind last month's coup.

"It is up to Turkey if there is or there isn't visa liberalisation," Mr Gabriel said. "Germany and Europe should under no circumstances be blackmailed."